What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

The culture of hip-hop was always an inspiration to me. Growing up watching 106 & Park, The Breakfast Club, and MTV in my adolescence planted a lot of seeds in the artist I grew to be. I became my current incarnation by studying the greats that came before me. You can’t continue a legacy without knowing the history of your culture.

The most updated version of my incarnation was born during the 2020 pandemic. I found myself elevating my musicality by constantly surrounding myself with other artists that had the same aspirations as me. The best thing that came out of the pandemic for me was my new duo, “The SentruEz”, alongside an amazing singer/songwriter called Tadiwa. Track #4 – “Sent2U” on Summer Forever is just a teaspoon of what we have in the chamber.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

Summer Forever is about me being at peace and having the freedom to live my life the way I want forever. Graduating from college was the stepping stone I had to get over in order to feel that much freedom in my life. I’ve made a vow to do whatever it is that makes me happy from this point on. Music is what makes me most happy so that’s what I’ll continue to do. I have aspirations of being the best at what I do.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

My main influences in music are classic albums that I love like Life After Death, Reasonable Doubt, To Pimp A Butterfly, and a plethora of others. Non-music wise, my main influences are my family and my upbringing in Maryland. My background is more of a motivation for me. I want to be able to inspire the next generation the same way my idols inspire me.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

My sound differs from most artists in my lane because you can hear the level of musicality that I bring to the table that others don’t. I go the extra mile to get a message across – that’s in the post production, writing, brainstorming, and a plethora of other aspects. I create timeless pieces of art that you can live life with, which is worth more than riding “the wave”.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

Albums:
Blood Orange – Negro Swan
Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
The Stylistics – The Stylistics

Movies:
The Godfather series
Rush Hour series
Crooklyn

Books:
Iceberg Slim Story Of My life: Pimp
Malcolm X
The Four Agreements

Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

I enjoy aspects of both because in order to thrive at the level I aspire to be, I need both. I love the studio because the creative process is lovely, and I love the performance aspect because I want to be able to share what’s been created with the world. My goal is to be the best in both – the best creator and performer.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

I had to go off to college to realize what specifically I wanted to do with my life, and I chose to be a rapper funny enough. It seems like I shouldn’t have to enroll in a higher level of education and take out student loans in order to figure that out, but I can’t change the past now. I just have to move forward and be great at what I set my mind to do.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

The SentruEz “Sent2U” track featuring Brandon Woody is the most unique track because I feel like my duo’s sound is genre-less. Anytime someone asks Tadiwa and I what our sound is there’s never a correct way to answer because it’s a cross between so many. It is its own sound. From Tadiwa’s soulful singing and gifted penmanship to my jazz-influenced ways of cadence, it’s hard to pinpoint what you’re listening to; all you know is that it sounds amazing.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

Summer Forever official music video is out now, and look out for another project to be released in the late Fall of 2021.

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

Q: When you win your first Grammy will your speech be written before or created from the heart on the spot?

A: I’m the type of person who likes to be prepared for things and already have it completely planned out or at least have a thorough plan-of-attack. But on the other hand those moments I assume are breathtaking, so I just may forget what I planned to say in the first place and just have to say kind words from the heart.

Photo Credits: Nicholas Cover 

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

Recommended listening:

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